Trump outlines priorities in YouTube video address

WASHINGTON --- President-elect Donald Trump released a “video message” Monday to the American people outlining the core principle of his presidency – “putting America first” – and laying out executive actions he wants to take beginning on Day 1, including scrapping regulations on energy production and withdrawing from trade agreements.

“Whether it’s producing steel, building cars, or curing disease, I want the next generation of production and innovation to happen right here, in our great homeland: America – creating wealth and jobs for American workers,” Trump says in the video, his first address since his acceptance speech on election night.

By posting the video on YouTube rather than making a personal appearance, he side-stepped follow-up questions and his aides could manage how he is portrayed, rather than relying on independent media.

The president-elect has been holed up in Trump Tower and his golf club in New Jersey in recent days, meeting with a parade of potential advisers and cabinet members.

“Our transition team is working very smoothly, efficiently, and effectively,” Trump said in the video. “Truly great and talented men and women, patriots indeed are being brought in and many will soon be a part of our government, helping us to Make America Great Again.”

He said he wanted to provide an update on the White House transition and policy plans for the first 100 days of his administration.

Trump said he plans to issue formal notification that the United States will withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement hammered out with a dozen Pacific-rim countries which had already stalled and virtually died in Congress when Trump was elected.

Instead, Trump said he will seek to negotiate “fair” bilateral agreements.